family life

61 things that are still perfect in a really messed-up world

JOY journal

“Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens; bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens.” Rodgers & Hammerstein, My Favorite Things

Doesn’t everyone have such a list? Here is mine, assembled on a sunny, spring morning…

Last but not least, sunrise. A new day. 🙂

The smell of coffee perking, chocolate melting, slicing into a perfect orange, onions sizzling in oil, sun-warmed tomatoes eaten while standing in the garden, rising bread, Classic Coke at the beach, cake with jam in between the layers, homemade pesto and cashews in any form.

Dogs wearing bandanas, stripey-orange cats lazing on porches, otters, bumble bees sleeping overnight on the zinnias, chickadees, the blackness of crows, monarch butterflies, dolphins leaping, dog yawns and dog stretches.

Sheer white curtains, vintage bed linens, fluffy towels right out of the dryer, opening the dishwasher to find it emptied, the first 10 minutes after the house has been freshly cleaned, the quiet of the house in the early morning, closing the blinds and curtains to shut out the night, soft blankets, a stack of neatly folded sweaters, denim.

The sound of a manual typewriter, the words “mackerel cannery” (say them out loud), the sound “sssshhhhh” when said to calm a child, a toddler’s giggle, a cat purring, robins singing in the morning, a rooster crowing, the tick of an old clock, the sound of the oven timer when dinner’s smelling good and marching bands.

Lavender, daisies, basil, cherry tomatoes, galvanized-steel watering cans, when the lawn first greens up, cosmos hanging over a picket fence, mulch, morning sun and rain that comes right before it’s time to water.

Staying up too late reading, sleeping in, the moment you first catch sight of the water at the beach, fixing something so that it’s good as new, listening to someone read out loud, outdoor music, eating at a picnic table, reading idiotic magazines at the dentist office, crossing the last thing off the to-do list before dark, bringing home Chinese take out.

Published by JOY journal

A longtime journalist, Nora Edinger also blogs and writes books. Her Christian chick lit and faith-related non-fiction are available on Amazon and on this site. She lives in Appalachia with her family and a goodish puppy named Finn.

30 thoughts on “61 things that are still perfect in a really messed-up world”

  3. Way cool. I had no reason to be nit-picky here Nora. I could see the merit in all 61. I even said “Mackerel Cannery” a few times, and had a chuckle. Even though it’s a bit overcast today, the sun is still out or it would be dark, now wouldn’t it?! Thanks for sharing!

    Liked by 5 people

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    1. Me, too! At my favorite beach (we lived in California) there was a hedge of honeysuckle then, boom, all blue sea and sky. To this day, I associated the smell of honeysuckle with the beach. 🙂

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply

      2. I have done that. And, you’re right, it is easier. 🙂 I’m still thinking someone else’s kitchen is better, especially a restaurant kitchen! Have a blessed. bacony weekend, Kimberly!

        Liked by 1 person

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